Ingrown Toenails & Nail Surgery
Red, painful, or infected toenails curling into the surrounding skin. We offer gentle conservative care and permanent in-clinic minor nail surgery.
Hallmark Symptoms & Clinical Presentation
- • Throbbing pain, tenderness, or swelling along the edge of the toenail
- • Redness and local heat indicating inflammation
- • Pus, yellow discharge, or bleeding signaling a secondary bacterial infection
- • Overgrowth of hypergranulation tissue around the nail sulcus
Biomechanical Causes & Risk Factors
- Incorrect nail cutting technique (curving edges down into the corners)
- Tight, narrow, or shallow toe-box footwear pressing the nail border
- Naturally curved (involuted) or wide nail plates
- Acute direct trauma (stubbing the toe) or repetitive sports impact
Assessment Protocol at Eternal Podiatry:
We carefully inspect the nail sulcus under magnification to determine if the nail border can be conservatively cleared or if recurrent anatomy warrants a minor in-clinic procedure.
Evidence-Based Treatment Pathways
- ✓ Gentle conservative resection and smoothing of the offending nail spike
- ✓ Antiseptic dressing and oral antibiotic liaison if active infection is present
- ✓ Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) surgery with chemical matrixectomy under local anesthesia for permanent resolution
- ✓ Comprehensive aftercare dressing kits and post-operative review
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the minor nail surgery hurt?
The procedure is performed entirely under local anesthesia (a quick numbing injection), meaning you will feel zero pain during the treatment. Post-operative discomfort is mild and easily managed with standard over-the-counter pain relief.
How long will I be off work or school?
Most patients return to school or desk work the very next day. You will need to wear an open-toed sandal or roomy footwear for 1 to 2 days while the initial dressing is in place.
Will the whole toenail be removed?
Rarely. In over 95% of cases, we perform a Partial Nail Avulsion where only a slender 1-2mm sliver of the offending side is removed, preserving the natural cosmetic appearance of your nail.
Get Lasting Relief
Book a clinical assessment at Aveley Medical Centre or Brecken Health South Perth.
✓ HICAPS Available: Swipe private health card on-site.
✓ Medicare EPC: GP chronic disease referrals accepted.
✓ No Referral Required: Direct booking for private patients.